Background: L-arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide (NO), which is formed endogenously as a result of reaction catalyzed by synthase NO (NOS). Administration of L-arginine to cardioplegic solution St. Thomas Hospital N 2 or used during reperfusion of heart can facilitate the return of left ventricle function after hypothermic ischaemia through increase of release of nitric oxide and preservation of endothelial cells functions. Positive effects of these researches could have extremely beneficial application in clinical practice, improving results of cardiosurgical operations conducted in extracorporeal circulation.
Objective: How addition of L-arginine to cardioplegic solution or during reperfusion influences secretion of nitric oxide, coronary flow and haemodynamic function of heart.
Methods: The research was conducted on isolated heart model of rats (Wistar inbreeding). The research was carried out in order: 20-minutes initial perfusion, 30-minutes cold cardioplegic arrest with or without addition of L-arginine and reperfusion with Krebs-Henseleit's solution with or without addition of L-arginine.
Results: Addition of L-arginine in the preischemic period and during reperfusion stimulates increase of nitric oxide secretion, what positively correlates with increasing of coronary flow. Addition of L-arginine to cardioplegic solution significantly increases coronary flow and cardiac output what improves postischaemic haemodynamic function of heart.